Stunning pictures of the giraffes!
Too funny that Henry announced he was tired and then promptly fell asleep.
How many more days until you leave again? Not many, right? Are you all packed?
I thought of you while taking those Jackie!

I knew you would appreciate them. Not quite as good as your AMAZING experience a while back though. I keep hoping for one of those!
TWO days until we leave! We leave Friday night....and no...I haven't even pulled out the suitcases. Yikes!
I never actually did do it. We were going to back when we had planned to go in Dec. 2010. We had 2 nights at AKL before our package. You can actually pick them up 3 days prior. We ended up canceling, so I never got to try it out.
Ahhhhh. Makes sense!
I am so confused with all of this!!

I know on the DIS, everyone says you can.. but when I call Disney they say you can't...
What are you telling your clients?
I bet the official word is "no", but they do it if you ask in person....but I have no idea for sure!
awesome update.. I am so excited to hear about the free dining extended through March that is when we are planning on going

.. yak and yeti looks delish I would love to try it when we go back.
have a fun safe trip

Glad you are able to get Free Dining! I was excited when they released some 2012 dates, I know quite a few people were looking for those.
Great updates, Brook.
First, I hope you are feeling better.
Love the safari pictures -- especially the giraffe (my favorite).
I am glad you enjoyed your meal at Yak & Yeti.
How cute that Henry announced he needed a nap and then was out. I love it. He's such a cutie pie.
Oh...and I skipped the picture of the bats (I don't do bats -- ever!).

I'll try to remember to put out a big warning on future bat pictures!
And yes, I am feeling better-back to normal, thank you for asking!
That picture of Henry hugging the yellow dinosaur's leg is ADORABLE

So precious.
AHHH I am so excited for you!! ONE WEEK! Are you doing a trip report?
Isn't that funny? He just ran right up there and hugged it!!
Yes, I will be doing a TR! I haven't decided how...I still have a ways to go on this one, plus my May solo, and then I'll have this coming trip.

I might do more of a picture-report for May and less details because I took ZERO notes. And I want to start a PTR for our June cruise!
I will also be Facebooking and Tweeting live.

I'll try to get on here and share a bit too.
I love love love that you took Henry to the boneyard to manage the single rider instead of a more standard child swap.
And, dare I say, the "I'm going to take a nap" is a sign of a child growing up, knowing what he wants..and needs.
GREAT updates.
The Boneyard swap really works well for us. One time we were in there for quite a while when I randomly thought about doing EE Single Rider line, and it worked so well, it's become our tradition! I think by the time Henry outgrows the Boneyard, he'll be ready to ride with us.
Him telling us he was going to nap was SO nice. Sure, I'll miss aspects of the toddler, but it's exciting to see him grow up and mature too.
Great updates. I love your pictures of the safari and the jungle trek. We've yet to do any of the trails at AK. And, while I don't want to give too much away, after our most recent trip to AK, my husband is convinced me could "skip it," the next time we go.

I had fully intended to use your single rider/Boneyard plan for a ride on EE, but the single rider line was closed.

Oh well. Looks like you had a great time and Yak and Yeti looks good.
Oh that stinks about the Single Rider line being closed! Were the standby wait times long? They usually only close it if they are very short.
And skip AK?! That would be so hard for me! I think Joe would be fine skipping it too, but I really enjoy it. The trails are amazing, Joe actually likes the Tree of Life trails the best since most of the animals are in smaller pens and he can see them. Plus gorgeous views of the tree and waterfalls.
Thanks for the pictures of Yak & Yeti. We've never eaten there or been inside, I think I would like it. I know for a fact we will like the food if you are comparing it to PF Chang's...it's our favorite!!
Glad you were content with accomplishing all you did in your day. You really did get the major stuff in there and at a nice relaxed pace.

for compromise.
Btw: got your PM - thanks!!

I'm going to read it again and see if I have more questions and I'll write you back. But not this week, because this week...YOU ARE GOING TO WDW!!!!
Yak & Yeti is very good! PF Changs IS better, in my opinion, but Y&Y is tasty too. I've never had chicken lettuce cups quite as good as PF Changs.
Your welcome on the PM!!! Definitely let me know if you have more questions!
Love all the Ak pictures! And yes, it does have awesome theming! It is a picture takers paradise.
I like the frozen lemonade too. I've been reading about a jalapeno cheese stuffed pretzel that you can only get at AK that I would like to try next time though. It has a lot of fans here on the DIS! Ever tried that?
Yay for Henry taking a nap! I think they just get so tired with all the stimulation that they cannot fight it no matter how hard they try!
It is! Everything from the ground to the sky is detailed. I love Joe Rhode's work, I can't wait to see Aulani....someday!
Yes! I have tried the jalapeno cheese stuffed pretzel! I tried it in May. I tried on this Feb/March trip actually, but the gal in front of me bought the LAST ONE. I think that's on a future AK day... Anyway, while it was very tasty, it was a bit too cheesy for me, I'm not huge fan of cheese. If you like cheese with a bit of heat, you'll love it.
It certainly looks and sounds like you had an awesome safari ride. I remember way back when the park first opened, the drivers used to stop the vehicle a good bit and let you take pictures. But, after a year or two, they stopped doing that and I was a bit disappointed.
Your meal at Yak & Yeti looks really good....especially the fried beans.
I wonder why they stopped it? It makes for such a better experience when they stop the jeeps! I hope they change it back!
Awesome safari ride! I wish I was at Animal Kingdom right now. I wish I was anywhere but here right now. I just got a second pay cut in a month at work and it finals week for school.
Mmmmm....PF Changs. Yum! Last month they had a coupon for free lettuce wraps on their facebook page. I dont know if you have it in New York but PeiWei is a fastfood version of PF Changs (they own PeiWei) and they have the lettuce wraps there too!! With that being said, i've never eaten at Yak and Yeti. I should try it.
Anyway, have a GREAT Trip!
I'll definitely be dreaming about Disney a lot because now i'm not sure when we will be going back.
Oh no...a second pay cut in a month?! Yuck. I'm so sorry to hear that.
Oh my goodness, I wish we had a PeiWei! I don't think I've ever seen one...I guess that doesn't mean anything though, considering how large the City is. I do believe we have a PF Changs somewhere though....
That WAS some mighty fine pixie dust you experienced there!
When my son was around Henry's age he started telling me when he was tired. He'd either curl up on the couch or actually climb in bed at home and have a nap or rest whenever he felt he needed it.
He's never done that at Disney though! But on consideration, that's likely because we only keep them up past nine pm one time on vacation. We don't go back to the hotel for afternoon breaks at all so to avoid meltdowns, we ensure we only have one late night followed by a late morning. It does mean missing most of the fireworks and nighttime shows but we'll do them when the kids are older.
Though this is a more "go with the flow, slow down and relax" trip...you still seem to be packing your days with fun and adventure! Which is great for us...lots of pics!
Henry has started to do this a bit more at home too - just yesterday, right at nap time, he laid down on the couch and closed his eyes! I was surprised. Usually it still takes some convincing. We don't keep to a schedule really at Disney, he's almost always up late and we skip naps about every other day. It seems to work out though, he's got enough excitement and adrenaline to avoid major meltdowns...usually!
All caught up!! you are leaving in 3 days!!! I will be watching for FB updates!!
Hi Mary! Yes, I will definitely be updating Facebook!
Fabulous photos in AK. Lunch at Yak & Yeti was looking good too. We ate there in 2010 an enjoyed our meal.
Loved the picture of Henry with the big dino. It's just so cute.
Just a few more days and you'll be there again!
I think we'll end up going back to Yak & Yeti sooner, rather than later. I do want to try Tusker House breakfast on our next trip though.
I can hardly believe it!